FREE Security Cable with every StopBox purchase — Authorized StopBox USA DealerNEW: Hunt Story — your trophy now compiles trail cams, sits, weather & recovery into a shareable journalNEW: Community Trophy Map — pin your harvest and see where hunters are connecting across the U.S.NEW: HuntSense Blood Trail AI — track multiple recoveries, snap a photo, get sign analysis in the fieldNEW: Trail Cam AI — upload a photo, get species, sex, rack estimate & behavior instantlyNEW: HuntSense Terrain Analysis — AI finds saddles, funnels & bedding inside your hunt zonesNEW: Hunting Pressure Map — live check-ins show how crowded public land is right nowNEW: Hunt Prediction — hourly deer activity scores and prime windows for each of your zonesYour Profile: Trophy Wall, Hunt Crews, Gear Locker, My Zones & saved tracks all in one placeHunt Crews: roster, trip plans, gear checklists & license reminders for your whole groupFind a Hunting Partner — post what you're after and connect with hunters in your stateHarvest Tags — durable state-specific tags for every hunter, shop your stateNew on the hunting blog: Hoosier Heartland Pursuit: A Tactical Guide to Indiana Public Land HuntingNew on the fishing blog: Inshore Redfish: Reading the Flats on a Falling TideFeatured partner: BHH Youth Hunters Academy2026-27 season dates & regulation updates by stateFREE Security Cable with every StopBox purchase — Authorized StopBox USA DealerNEW: Hunt Story — your trophy now compiles trail cams, sits, weather & recovery into a shareable journalNEW: Community Trophy Map — pin your harvest and see where hunters are connecting across the U.S.NEW: HuntSense Blood Trail AI — track multiple recoveries, snap a photo, get sign analysis in the fieldNEW: Trail Cam AI — upload a photo, get species, sex, rack estimate & behavior instantlyNEW: HuntSense Terrain Analysis — AI finds saddles, funnels & bedding inside your hunt zonesNEW: Hunting Pressure Map — live check-ins show how crowded public land is right nowNEW: Hunt Prediction — hourly deer activity scores and prime windows for each of your zonesYour Profile: Trophy Wall, Hunt Crews, Gear Locker, My Zones & saved tracks all in one placeHunt Crews: roster, trip plans, gear checklists & license reminders for your whole groupFind a Hunting Partner — post what you're after and connect with hunters in your stateHarvest Tags — durable state-specific tags for every hunter, shop your stateNew on the hunting blog: Hoosier Heartland Pursuit: A Tactical Guide to Indiana Public Land HuntingNew on the fishing blog: Inshore Redfish: Reading the Flats on a Falling TideFeatured partner: BHH Youth Hunters Academy2026-27 season dates & regulation updates by state
Buckeye Hunter Hub
Popper
Topwater

Popper

All lures

Spits and pops to draw surface reaction.

Technique

Pop and pause

Depth

Surface

Water Clarity

Clear to stained

Best Conditions

Calm, low light

Spring Summer Fall

About This Lure

A concave-faced topwater that chugs and spits water, great for calm mornings and fish around cover.

How To Fish It

Cast the popper near shoreline vegetation, docks, or submerged logs to mimic a distressed baitfish. Give the rod tip sharp, downward twitches to create a distinct popping sound and surface disturbance, then allow the lure to sit perfectly still while the ripples dissipate. Most strikes will occur during the long pause, so keep your line slightly taut and remain alert.

Retrieve Cadence

Pop-pop-pause (2-second count) repeat.

Best Colors

Bone/White— General clear water conditions.
Black— Low light, dawn, or dusk.
Clear/Ghost— Highly pressured or ultra-clear water.

Sizes & When To Use

1/4 ozTargeting Bluegill or aggressive Bass in shallow creeks.
3/8 - 1/2 ozStandard all-purpose size for Largemouth Bass.

Commonly Rigged On

Direct tieSnap swivel

Recommended Gear

6'6" to 7'0" Medium-power Fast-action casting rod, 6.4:1 gear ratio baitcasting reel, 12-15lb monofilament line.

Pro Tips

  • Always use monofilament line to keep the lure's nose up for better action.
  • Do not set the hook immediately upon hearing the splash; wait until you feel the weight of the fish.
  • On windy days, stick to the wind-blown side of points and coves where bait is pushed.
  • Upgrade to feather-dressed treble hooks for increased movement during the pause.

Species This Lure Catches

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

The ultimate American freshwater predator, the Largemouth Bass is the king of shallow-water structure and aggressive strikes.

View guide →
Bluegill

Bluegill

Lepomis macrochirus

The ultimate panfish prize, famous for its aggressive strikes and incredible pound-for-pound fighting ability.

View guide →
Free Membership

Catch more these fish — free

Create a free account and unlock the full angling toolkit:

Interactive fishing maps with spots, structure & depth waypoints
Save rigs & lures to your Tacklebox and Rig Box
Log every catch in your Livewell and post to the Trophy Wall
Create Free Account Explore the Map

Ready to tie one on?

Mark your spots on the fishing map and put this lure to work.

Your free hunting & fishing toolkit

Join Free

Install Hunter Hub

Add it to your home screen for full-screen maps and offline access in the field.